Title page

H E R L A S T

H O P E

(A Rachel Gift MysteryBook Three)

B L A K E P I E R C E

Blake Pierce

Blake Pierce is the USA Today bestselling author of the RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seventeen books. Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising fourteen books; of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising six books; of the KERI LOCKE mystery series, comprising five books; of the MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE mystery series, comprising six books; of the KATE WISE mystery series, comprising seven books; of the CHLOE FINE psychological suspense mystery, comprising six books; of the JESSE HUNT psychological suspense thriller series, comprising nineteen books; of the AU PAIR psychological suspense thriller series, comprising three books; of the ZOE PRIME mystery series, comprising six books; of the ADELE SHARP mystery series, comprising thirteen books, of the EUROPEAN VOYAGE cozy mystery series, comprising four books; of the new LAURA FROST FBI suspense thriller, comprising six books (and counting); of the new ELLA DARK FBI suspense thriller, comprising nine books (and counting); of the A YEAR IN EUROPE cozy mystery series, comprising nine books, of the AVA GOLD mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); and of the RACHEL GIFT mystery series, comprising six books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Copyright © 2021 by Blake Pierce. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Jacket image Copyright oekka.k, used under license from Shutterstock.com.

BOOKS BY BLAKE PIERCE

RACHEL GIFT MYSTERY SERIES

HER LAST WISH (Book #1)

HER LAST CHANCE (Book #2)

HER LAST HOPE (Book #3)

HER LAST FEAR (Book #4)

HER LAST CHOICE (Book #5)

HER LAST BREATH (Book #6)

AVA GOLD MYSTERY SERIES

CITY OF PREY (Book #1)

CITY OF FEAR (Book #2)

CITY OF BONES (Book #3)

CITY OF GHOSTS (Book #4)

CITY OF DEATH (Book #5)

CITY OF VICE (Book #6)

A YEAR IN EUROPE

A MURDER IN PARIS (Book #1)

DEATH IN FLORENCE (Book #2)

VENGEANCE IN VIENNA (Book #3)

A FATALITY IN SPAIN (Book #4)

ELLA DARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

GIRL, ALONE (Book #1)

GIRL, TAKEN (Book #2)

GIRL, HUNTED (Book #3)

GIRL, SILENCED (Book #4)

GIRL, VANISHED (Book 5)

GIRL ERASED (Book #6)

GIRL, FORSAKEN (Book #7)

GIRL, TRAPPED (Book #8)

GIRL, EXPENDABLE (Book #9)

LAURA FROST FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

ALREADY GONE (Book #1)

ALREADY SEEN (Book #2)

ALREADY TRAPPED (Book #3)

ALREADY MISSING (Book #4)

ALREADY DEAD (Book #5)

ALREADY TAKEN (Book #6)

EUROPEAN VOYAGE COZY MYSTERY SERIES

MURDER (AND BAKLAVA) (Book #1)

DEATH (AND APPLE STRUDEL) (Book #2)

CRIME (AND LAGER) (Book #3)

MISFORTUNE (AND GOUDA) (Book #4)

CALAMITY (AND A DANISH) (Book #5)

MAYHEM (AND HERRING) (Book #6)

ADELE SHARP MYSTERY SERIES

LEFT TO DIE (Book #1)

LEFT TO RUN (Book #2)

LEFT TO HIDE (Book #3)

LEFT TO KILL (Book #4)

LEFT TO MURDER (Book #5)

LEFT TO ENVY (Book #6)

LEFT TO LAPSE (Book #7)

LEFT TO VANISH (Book #8)

LEFT TO HUNT (Book #9)

LEFT TO FEAR (Book #10)

LEFT TO PREY (Book #11)

LEFT TO LURE (Book #12)

LEFT TO CRAVE (Book #13)

THE AU PAIR SERIES

ALMOST GONE (Book#1)

ALMOST LOST (Book #2)

ALMOST DEAD (Book #3)

ZOE PRIME MYSTERY SERIES

FACE OF DEATH (Book#1)

FACE OF MURDER (Book #2)

FACE OF FEAR (Book #3)

FACE OF MADNESS (Book #4)

FACE OF FURY (Book #5)

FACE OF DARKNESS (Book #6)

A JESSIE HUNT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES

THE PERFECT WIFE (Book #1)

THE PERFECT BLOCK (Book #2)

THE PERFECT HOUSE (Book #3)

THE PERFECT SMILE (Book #4)

THE PERFECT LIE (Book #5)

THE PERFECT LOOK (Book #6)

THE PERFECT AFFAIR (Book #7)

THE PERFECT ALIBI (Book #8)

THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR (Book #9)

THE PERFECT DISGUISE (Book #10)

THE PERFECT SECRET (Book #11)

THE PERFECT FAÇADE (Book #12)

THE PERFECT IMPRESSION (Book #13)

THE PERFECT DECEIT (Book #14)

THE PERFECT MISTRESS (Book #15)

THE PERFECT IMAGE (Book #16)

THE PERFECT VEIL (Book #17)

THE PERFECT INDISCRETION (Book #18)

THE PERFECT RUMOR (Book #19)

CHLOE FINE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES

NEXT DOOR (Book #1)

A NEIGHBORS LIE (Book #2)

CUL DE SAC (Book #3)

SILENT NEIGHBOR (Book #4)

HOMECOMING (Book #5)

TINTED WINDOWS (Book #6)

KATE WISE MYSTERY SERIES

IF SHE KNEW (Book #1)

IF SHE SAW (Book #2)

IF SHE RAN (Book #3)

IF SHE HID (Book #4)

IF SHE FLED (Book #5)

IF SHE FEARED (Book #6)

IF SHE HEARD (Book #7)

THE MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE SERIES

WATCHING (Book #1)

WAITING (Book #2)

LURING (Book #3)

TAKING (Book #4)

STALKING (Book #5)

KILLING (Book #6)

RILEY PAIGE MYSTERY SERIES

ONCE GONE (Book #1)

ONCE TAKEN (Book #2)

ONCE CRAVED (Book #3)

ONCE LURED (Book #4)

ONCE HUNTED (Book #5)

ONCE PINED (Book #6)

ONCE FORSAKEN (Book #7)

ONCE COLD (Book #8)

ONCE STALKED (Book #9)

ONCE LOST (Book #10)

ONCE BURIED (Book #11)

ONCE BOUND (Book #12)

ONCE TRAPPED (Book #13)

ONCE DORMANT (Book #14)

ONCE SHUNNED (Book #15)

ONCE MISSED (Book #16)

ONCE CHOSEN (Book #17)

MACKENZIE WHITE MYSTERY SERIES

BEFORE HE KILLS (Book #1)

BEFORE HE SEES (Book #2)

BEFORE HE COVETS (Book #3)

BEFORE HE TAKES (Book #4)

BEFORE HE NEEDS (Book #5)

BEFORE HE FEELS (Book #6)

BEFORE HE SINS (Book #7)

BEFORE HE HUNTS (Book #8)

BEFORE HE PREYS (Book #9)

BEFORE HE LONGS (Book #10)

BEFORE HE LAPSES (Book #11)

BEFORE HE ENVIES (Book #12)

BEFORE HE STALKS (Book #13)

BEFORE HE HARMS (Book #14)

AVERY BLACK MYSTERY SERIES

CAUSE TO KILL (Book #1)

CAUSE TO RUN (Book #2)

CAUSE TO HIDE (Book #3)

CAUSE TO FEAR (Book #4)

CAUSE TO SAVE (Book #5)

CAUSE TO DREAD (Book #6)

KERI LOCKE MYSTERY SERIES

A TRACE OF DEATH (Book #1)

A TRACE OF MURDER (Book #2)

A TRACE OF VICE (Book #3)

A TRACE OF CRIME (Book #4)

A TRACE OF HOPE (Book #5)

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER ONE

To think, just the month before, Maria Ramirezs biggest worry was that she could not find a large enough pair of soccer cleats for her son. It had seemed like such a massive worry, making sure she had those dumb shoes before tryouts started. Her entire world had rotated around the search for those shoes for about three days. As she walked out of the hospital and toward the dark parking lot, the amount of stress that endless search for cleats had caused seemed almost comical.

Things had changed quite a bit since then and it had helped her to re-prioritize things that were important. Cleats. Soccer. Anything leisurely or fun…what was the point to any of it now?

Of course, shed have to paint it in a totally different light for her two kids. She figured theyd understand it; they were just old enough to truly understand what her recent batch of bad news would mean for them. With the news she just received, things were going to look different. There would be some very hard conversations with the kids and their father. Maria and her ex-husband hadnt talked about anything for more than five minutes over the last three years, but they were going to have to now.

She felt the hospital looming behind her, almost like a haunted house in a badly made horror movie. The news shed received inside had not been hopeful; it had been downright awful, actually. But she was choosing not to let it eat away at her. She was choosing to try to use it as a way to connect with her kids, to show them that life wasnt all about soccer cleats or getting a new Xbox because the old one overheated and broke.

She pulled out her phone, wanting to call Teddy, her son, to tell him to take some chicken out of the freezer. She had no idea what shed make for dinner tonight, but she needed to get her mind on daily, routine things. Maybe over dinner, shed tell them. It would be difficult and there would be some hard conversations over the next few days, but it needed to be done.

Thinking of the frozen chicken as she neared her car, she chuckled nervously. To hell with that.

Maria figured given the news shed just received she could take one night off from cooking. Besides, the kids had been asking for Chinese takeout for two weeks now. Maybe shed treat them to soften the blow of what needed to be discussed.

Her cellphone glowed in the night as she stopped by her car, Googling the phone number of their favorite Chinese place. Before pressing the Call button, she tried to remember that weirdly named dish her son liked. Moo shoo? Some kind of pork, she muttered.

With her eyes still on her phone, she just barely saw the figure come rushing around the front of her car. For a very strange moment, she thought it was a ghostsome odd amorphous shape moving through the night. But then she saw it was simply because the figure was dressed in all black. She saw the shape of a hood pulled over the head but that was it.

Before Maria could make sense of anything else, there was a blinding, sharp pain in her stomach. She opened her mouth to scream but could not draw any air. The dark figure in front of her seemed to grow darker as the pain continued.

Stabbed. Ive been stabbed.

This fact came slamming home as the blade was drawn out. Maria fell against the side of her car, trying to draw in a breath while also trying to get a clear look at her attacker. Her eyes did fall on the attackers face but it was quickly replaced by the shape of a knife that was stained with her own blood. She locked eyed with the killer for only a moment. She could tell it was a man because he was muttering something to himself. The voice was masculine and hurried. She could not tell what he was saying, but it certainly seemed like a one-sided conversation.

…if I want to get it done…and quick…just do it and…

This oddity distracted her long enough to miss the sight of the knife that came down and across her neck in a vicious slashing motion.

It felt almost like a papercut at firsta papercut and nothing more. But then it felt like her entire neck had been torn open and the last thing Maria Ramirez felt before she slid down the side of her car and to the pavement was her blood, warm and pumping freely, cascading down her chest. She could still hear the killer talking, which was odd, because even as the life poured out of her, she was quite certain her killer had been alone.

CHAPTER TWO

Rachel sat on her couch, in the middle of her quiet house, and looked to her daughter. Paiges eyes were shifting uncomfortablysomething theyd been doing for the last day or so. Rachel could tell that Paige knew something was going on but was too afraid to ask. Paige Gift had always been the sort of kid that got easily embarrassed when others got into trouble. Even on television, shed avert her eyes and sometimes cover her ears when people or even cartoon characters got into arguments.

So when she could sense there was tension or something out of balance within her own home, her mood shifted dramatically.

Are you and Daddy upset with each other? Paige asked.

Rachel did her best to never lie to her daughter, but she did know when to soften a blow. In a way, she said. Its just been a hard few days.

Because of what you found in my room?

Rachel nodded, reaching out and taking Paiges hand, Thats part of it yes.

On several occasions, Paige had tried explaining to Rachel how she felt about what had happened. She was still a little confused over what took place in her room two days ago. All Paige knew for sure was that shed gone into her room and saw a dead squirrel on her floor. After that, given the reaction of both of her parents, shed spent the next day or so swearing that she hadnt done it. Shed even requested that they have a funeral for the poor squirrelwhich they had not been able to do because it had been taken as evidence.

Beyond that, Paige was more or less in the dark. Rachel, Peter, or any of the police or federal agents that had come through the house hadnt told her about the note that had been left with the squirrel. And really, it had been the note from Alex Lynchpresumably placed in Paiges room by an old friend or acquaintance of Lynchsthat had unnerved Rachel the most.

And later, when the police and FBI had left the house for the last time, Rachel and Peter had not told her about Rachels diagnosis. In a hurried conversation between police visits and a wailing, agitated Paige, theyd made the decision to keep it between them for a few daysat least until the shock of the squirrel and the note had worn off. Even then, as theyd discussed the tumor immediately after the trauma of the dead squirrel, Rachel had felt something different between them. Something had shifted and it was never going to be the same.

Mommy?

Yes, sweetie?

I know youre both upset and quiet…but can I watch a movie?

Sure.

She hated that Paige was so aware of the strain between them. Peter hadnt spoken to her very much in the past twelve hours. Rachel knew he was hurt and blindsided by the news about Alex Lynch, but he seemed devastated and angry about the fact that shed not only been diagnosed with the tumor but that shed kept it from him. Hed been cold and distant to her ever since theyd found the dead squirrel with the note in Paiges room. Theyd had arguments before, even a shouting match or two, but this icy silence was something new. And it was made worse with the heaviness of her health diagnosis. It had been hard enough to finally tell him, but then with this Alex Lynch business right at the end of it, it was a whole different sort of turmoil.

She watched idly as Paige went to Disney Plus and started scrolling through some of her familiar favorites. She didnt realize until about twenty minutes into Coco that she was still holding Paiges hand and that her daughters head was resting on her shoulder. A very sudden surge of emotion tore through Rachel and before she knew it, her eyes were watering with tears.

She blinked them back and subtly wiped them away, not wanting Paige to see. She already knew something was off between her parents. Seeing her motherwho rarely cried at allcrumple into a sobbing mess was only going to make matters so much worse.

Hey, Rachel?

She turned to the right, toward the kitchen, at the sound of Peters voice. It was soft, nearly in a whisper. He looked a little more at ease than he had in the last two days, so that was good.

Can we talk for a second, in the kitchen? he asked.

Rachel nodded, then gave Paige a kiss on the forehead. Immersed in the movie, Paige barely noticed she had moved. Rachel walked into the kitchen, grabbed a water from the fridge, and sat at the bar. Peter did not sit. He stood on the other side of the bar, as rigid as a statue, and Rachel noticed for the first time that he looked scared. His dark hair was in disarray and his eyes looked uncertaina rarity for Peter Gift. He almost looked like the nervous college sophomore shed met so many years ago and it hurt her deeplynot the appearance, but the sting of the sweet memory.

Its been a rough few days, he said simply.

Thats an understatement.

He furrowed his brow at this, as if upset that shed dared to make such a flippant remark. Ive been thinking about it all day. Literally all day, trying to figure out what we need to do next in order to get over this. But I cant come up with anything because there are these two enormous obstacles. Not just one thing to get over, but two. And the more I think about them, the more I realize that you kept them from me.

Peter, I know. But you

You knew about the tumor for three entire weeks before you bothered telling me. You even went to visit Grandma Tate after getting the news and then came home upset about her diagnosis! Youd think that living through that would have spurred you on, but no. No, you kept it in…and I just cant figure out why.

I had to process it myself, Peter. It was more than just telling you; it was telling Paige. And my God, I still have no idea how to

I know. Youve mentioned it numerous times in the last two days.

Well, its the only answer I have!

She caught herself here, realizing how loud her voice was getting. They stared at one another for a handful of seconds, not speaking. Shed never seen him so angry before. It was chilling in a way shed never quite experienced.

But its the Alex Lynch thing that really gets me, he said, also making sure to keep his voice low. Somehow, he got to someone. He had someone break into our house and go into our daughters room. And why? Because you paid him a visit and stirred shit up again!

Peter, you

No, he shook his head and took a very deep breath. She noticed that he shuddered a bit when he let it out. He was really worked up. Ive spent the bulk of our marriage watching you throw yourself into your work, something I used to really admire and respect about you. But lately its been too muchespecially now that I know about the tumor. You chose to go out to work with that thing in your head before telling your husband and your daughter. That hurts in a way I cant even explain and…I dont…

She reached out across the bar for his hand, but he would not give it to her. Peter…

He turned away from her, looking toward the kitchen sink. Ive spent the past half an hour or so packing a bag. Im leaving, Rachel.

What? You cant be seri

This is all too much, and its a double shot of proving how youve never put us first. Its always been work. And this tumor…you making the choice to not be treated for it? I love you, Rachel but that is the most selfish thing you can do. And I have no intention of just standing by and watching you die. And expecting Paige to do it is damn near monstrous.

Rage welled up in Rachel, but it was quickly overcome with the reality of what Peter was saying. As if sensing this, he said it again.

Im leaving. And I dont think Ill be coming back. We can discuss how things will work with Paige over the next few months, but not right now. Right now, I just need to be away from you.

Peter, you cant…

I can and I am. I need to be away from you right now. I need to be alone.

And with that, he started up the stairs. Rachel wanted to call after him. She wanted to chase after him, to beg him to reconsider. But instead, she simply remained seated at the bar. She felt something start to come apart inside, an emotional wall that started to come down. She felt as if someone had reached into her stomach and tied her guts into knots.

Rachel sat there for a very long time, listening to the sounds of Paiges movie and the muffled sounds of Peter moving around upstairs. She didnt move until Peter was back down the stairs. He was carrying an overnight bag and his eyes were red. Apparently, hed been crying upstairs.

Peter…you dont have to do this.

He only shook his head at her and looked into the living room. With the mood Im in right now, I dont know if its the smartest thing for me to take her with me. Can you be a present mother for another few days and be with her?

Yes. She wanted to lash out at him but deep down, she knew he was right. Still, her bitter tongue had to have its say. Besides, your selfish decision shouldnt cause me to lose time with her.

My selfish decision? Are you serious?

But he was shaking his head again right away, not wanting to delve into an argument over it. Im going to check into a hotel. Ill text you when Im settled. He headed for the door and turned back to her one last time. You need to tell Paige about whats going on with you. The sooner, the better. Think of how you would have felt if Grandma Tate had kept it from you.

The Story Continues on BooksBarbecue!

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